The air conditioning was on, and then it was off. We sat in the river almost all day on Friday (the hottest), but by Saturday it was strangely cool and weirdly gray and wanted to rain (though it never really did). I sat in the dining room working and drinking hot chai in a long-sleeved blouse with the breeze blowing through all the windows so insistently that I was cold (and pleasantly confused, and pathetically relieved).

I made pasta with our gorgeous little tomatoes, pasta with olive oil and a little garlic, swirled around with the fresh tomatoes (which were so easy to peel, even raw, without blanching), a handful of basil (also from the garden), and big chunks of fresh mozzarella. Mama mia, that was some good dinner.

I keep forgetting to write out the chocolate cake recipe and the soup recipe! Okay, this week.

I did eat some Indian rice pudding. I could eat rice pudding every day if given the chance. I got mine from a take-out restaurant this weekend, but sometimes I make it.

Rinse well and then soak basmati rice in cold water for a half an hour. Combine milk, rice, condensed milk, and sugar in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until milk is reduced by half and pudding is thick (or however you like it). Add cardamom, stir, and let cool to room temperature before serving.

I have a sleepy puppers on my lap right now. I wish I could lounge with her (actually, I wish I was that girl on the black pony up there) but we are in full ornament-kit production mode, so it's time for bad Lifetime movies, gallons of iced tea, and several hours of repetitive motion arranging little piles of wool felt. Love it!!!

Will you pretty pretty please with a cherry on top one day when you're not making ornaments or lovely quilts and even lovelier scarves or dresses...will you pretty please write a memoir? Especially if you got your sister(s) to contribute. I think it would be one of the most soothing things anyone could ever read. Think about it? :D

So glad to read that you survived being "terrified" by a mild Oregon heat wave. That didn't sound too bad! I lived in Coos Bay for 3 years, and I knew that heat does not stay long enough to sit down and get comfortable in Oregon. You are so fun to read, and the photos are gorgeous once again.

We've endured The Two Week Heat Wave that San Diego seems to get this time of year, when otherwise temps are very fine. With no AC it just flattens us!
Meanwhile kheer is one of my favorite things, though I've never made it. Really I think I'd eat anything with cardamom in it! My favorite spice!
Thought about your Carl Larsson influences this weekend. At Balboa Park in San Diego there are little International Houses for several countries, and on Sundays they are open and volunteers give out food based on the heritage, etc. You can learn about each country. Free, and delightful. The House of Sweden is precious; whereas its exterior is Spanish revival like all the little houses, inside the folks took care to make it look like a Carl Larsson inspired home. It's just precious. Some of his prints are hanging there too. If you are ever here, go on a Sunday. Apparently they do many things at Christmastime with each house, too. Hungary put on a show on the lawn this Sunday.

I wish I was the girl on the black pony too! I was once - his name was Prince and he was my first love. Now he sleeps forever at the top of the top field, behind my parents' home in Wales, dreaming of long hot rides and wading in streams. Oh, to be young again.

Horse camping is the best. We go to Timothy Lake with our equines to play sometimes. Are you still riding? I had to stop for the year, because of the baby-bump, and my horse is at 'summer camp' at my sister's place ear Ione. I miss him.

It's actually cooled a bit here in Oklahoma too! So very grateful..those triple digits just wear me out even if I stay inside in the AC all day. I am sooooooo excited about the new ornament kits. Can hardly wait!

Oh the teasing! I can hardly stand it! I am so afraid you will list them when I am not looking and you will sell out!
The end of summer photos are so lovely and bittersweet I almost forgive you for the teasing. :)

About

My name is Alicia Paulsonand I love to make things. I live with my husband and daughter in Portland, Oregon, and design sewing, embroidery, knitting, and crochet patterns. See more about me at aliciapaulson.com